Mizoram prepares for counting day; EVMs secure in strong rooms, ready for June 4

In anticipation of the impending counting day on June 4th, all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) utilized in the Mizoram Lok Sabha polls have been securely sealed and stored in designated strong rooms, confirmed a senior election official on Sunday. Polling for the solitary Lok Sabha seat in the northeastern state was conducted on April 19th. H. Lianzela, the Mizoram Additional Chief Electoral Officer, informed that EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were transported from all polling stations to the allocated strong rooms in Aizawl and 10 other district headquarters over Friday and Saturday. The state boasts 40 strong rooms, each designated for an assembly constituency, all under the vigilant watch of security forces to deter any unauthorized access or tampering, emphasized Lianzela.

Counting of votes will coincide with the nationwide tally on June 4th, he confirmed. Across the state, the election department has established 13 polling centers, including three in Aizawl. Furthermore, there are 40 counting halls, one allotted for each assembly segment. Post-poll scrutiny of EVMs and VVPAT machines was conducted on Saturday as part of standard procedure. According to election authorities, the Mizoram Lok Sabha polls witnessed a turnout of 56.87%, excluding votes cast via postal ballots and the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS). Of the total 8,56,364 eligible voters, 4,87,103 exercised their franchise, including 2,45,800 female voters.

To ensure smooth conduct, more than 3,500 policemen and 12 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) were deployed, resulting in peaceful polling, stated the department. The electoral battle features six candidates representing various parties, including the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, BJP, People’s Conference (PC) party, and an independent candidate, all vying for victory.